Driving mechanism for ignition generators



J. L'. MILTON.

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR IGNITION GENERATORS.

' APPUCATION HLED'FEB. 5,1918. 1,412,414.. Patented P 11, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1- 14 7 5 25 a a w 3 2 0 8 4 1 I J m 4 7 d mm m 9 MM] bwavrom f m A rranwn' I. L. MILTON. DRIVING MECHANISM fiQR IGNITION GENERATORS.

APPLICATION FIL'ED FEB- 6,"I9IB.

. Patented- 511, 1922.

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'L.-MILTON.

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR IGNITION GENERATQRS. APPLICATION FILED FEB. a, 1918.

Patented A r. 11, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEEI 3.

UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN LEWIS MILTON, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO' THE TEAGLE COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

DRIVING iaonanrsn ron ienrrron omrenarons.

Speeificationof Letters Patent. Patgnted 1x131. 11, 1922 Application filed February 6, 1918. Serial l lo. 215,720.

for Ignition Generators, of which the fol-- lowing is a specification,reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to mechanism for the driving of an ignition generator from the internal combustion engine with which the generator is used, the mechanism being of the type commonly known as impulse starters. i i

These driving mechanisms comprise a yielding connection between the driven generator shaft and a driving shaft, together with means for temporarily stopping the movement of the generator shaft to permit the compression of a spring or the like, constituting a yielding connection, which is thereupon released and snapsthe generator shaft forward with'a quick movement so that an effective spark is generated. Usually the means for temporarily stopping the movement of the generator shaft is auto matically thrown out of operative position when the speed of rotation increases to a point insuring generation of effective ignition currents. Then the stop device can be thrown into operation again eithern'lanually or automatically when the speed ofthe engine falls below a certain point.

()ne object of the invention is the provision of mechanism oithis character both sensitive and positive in its operation and readily responsive to speed changes.

Another object of the invention is to produce a mechanism of this character thoroughly reliable in operation.

Another object of the invention is the provision of mechanism of the character in question having parts that are simple, substantial and capable'ot production at moderate cost.

A further object of. the invention is the reduction of the number of parts of such mechanism especially by the use of means adapted both to hold the stop device in 0per ative position, to move it into inoperative position when a certain speed of rotation is attained, and to hold it in such inoperative position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved means for throwing the stop device into operation.

dinother objector the invention is the pro vis on of a casing for enclosingthe mechanism so as to render itsubstantially dust and weatliep root and which, at the same time, is capable of being readily removed to permit free access to the parts of the meohanism.-

Other objects, more or less incidental or anclllary to the fore oing, will. be understood from the following description in which I set forth several embodiments of my improvements by way of explanation and lllustration so that the invention may be clearly understood. r g

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in central vertical section, of my improved driving mechanism and the parts of the generator and engine, or engine driven parts, with which it immediately co-operates. 1

Fig. 2 is a transverse 2-2, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse 33, Fig. 1. v

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line 4-4, Fig. 3. l i

Fig. 5 is a side elevation, partly in central vertical section, of amodified form of construction embodying the invention.

Fi s is a transverse section on the line G-6, Fig. 5, some of: the parts being broken section on the line away to disclose certain details of the construction;

Fig. is a fragmentary front elevation of a. modified form of impulse starter mech anism embodying certain of my improveinents.

liigf'S is a bottom view of certain oi the parts shown in Fig.7, to wit, thepawl, ten sion device and bracket upon which they are mounted. i i

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 99, Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of still another form of impulse starter mechanism embodying certain of my improvements.

Fig. 11 is a bottom view of certain oi"? the parts shown in Fig. 10, to wit, the pawl, tension device and bracket upon which they are mounted. I

Fig. 19. is a front elevation of another .iiorm of impulse starter embodying certain of my improvements.

Fig. 13 is a bottom view of certain of the section on the line parts shown in Fig. 12, to wit, the pawl, tension device and bracket pen which these parts are mounted.

Referring first to the term o'l construe-- tion illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, l is one ot the end plates of an electric generator oil the direct high. tension type adapted to supply currents 'l'or ignition purposes. 9 is the rotor shalt ot the generator which is provided with a tapered end as shown ada )ted to receive suitable driving coi'mections. On this tapered end of the shalt 2 is mounted a ratchet disk 3 which has a hub part 3 formed to fit the tapered end of the shaft 2. the shat't and hub being secured against relative rotation by a key 4-,, while the hub is secured against endwise movement by a nut 5. The periphery of the disk 3 is formed with two diametrically opposite ratchet teeth or shoulders 3". 3. o is a cam member formed with an inwardly turned hub 6 rotatably mounted on the hub Pr of the ratchet. and with an inwardly turned rim 6 which carries near its inner edge two diametrically op 'iosite cam exten sions (3, 6. Both the trout and rear edges of these extensions are :li'ormed with cam, faces (3. The cam extensions 6 are relatively broad and have their inner faces bearing against the outer face at the ratchet disk 3 so that the ratchet and cam parts have extensive bearing contact both at their hub and eripheral parts.

The ratchet disk 3 carries on its outer face a. lug or stud 7 while the cam member 6 carries a similar lug or stud S on its inner face. Between these studs is arranged a coiled driving spring 9 and a shorter buffer spring 10, the two springs being; Gllltltitllfll) enclosed in the annular space between the ratchet and cam members.

The cam member is designed to be driven through a suitable couplingg which in the present case is in the term of an Uldham coupling 1].. As shown the cam member (3 termed on its outer jace with a pair of coupling lugs Ill, ll which cooperate with corresponding lugs ll", '1 l" on the driving member 11 of the coupling. The coupling member 11 is mounted on a driving shalt which projects from and may have suitable bearing support in a casing 13, which may contain any suitable form of driving mechanism such for exan'iple as gearing driven from the crank shaft of an internal combustion engine in connection with which the ignition generator is used. Tn many instances the casing 13 may constitute an in tegral part of the crank case oi? the engine. the ignition generator in such cases being commonly mounted on a pl a't'lorm or bracket extending from said crank case.

Directly above the ratchet and cam parts is a bracket 14 which is rigidly secured by screws '15, 15 to the end plate of the generator. The bracket is termed at its outer side with a depending arm 14; and between said. arm and. the base l-l" ot the bracket is arranged a locking pawl l6 designed to cooperate with the ratchet 3 and the cam (3. In the construction shown the pawl consists of a block 17 formed on its upper side with a central, longitudinally extending slot l7 and a platedike lever arm 18 which is rigidly secured, as by rivets 19 to the block 17. The pawl thus l'ormed is mounted on a pair of pivot screws 20, 21 as shown in Fig. 1. These pivot screws have tapered or coned ends which litsuitable apertures in the pawl and permit a nice fit of the pawl and pivot parts with a minimum oil? friction. The pawl arm 18 has one of its ends turned at right angles to form an abutment 1.8 for one end of a tension device 28 which consists of a coil spring 23 and a link 23". The spring and link can be formed integrally or separately, but I havehere shown them formed Separately and pivotably joined end to end; then the tree end of the spring attached to the abutment 18" ol the pawl and the free end of the linkflii" is connected to a post 2% carried by the lnracket 14-.

On. reference to Figs. 2 and l it will he observed that by reason oi? the bend or angle in the pawl plate 18, adjacent the pivot screws 20, 21, and the relative arrangement of the post 24., the link 23" of "the tension device is disposed in the slot 17 ot the pawl; and, furthermore, the clearance between the pawl and tension device afforded by the said slot su'liicient to permit the tension device to swing across the pivot axis oil? the pawl. when the latter is swung upward and downward.

The depending arm ill of the hrzn'ket 14; is termed with a slot ill to receive a plate like lever 25 which is pivotably mounted on the pivot screw an. The lever has an inturned end part 25" which overlies and is adapted to engage and press downward on the pawl'ltt The opposite end of the lever 25 is norn'ially pressed dowinvard by a coil spring); 26 mounted in a socket fl-l" oi the bracket 14; and the last named end oi the lever 25 is preteraljlly formed with an ap erture 25" to receive a wire 2'7 or the like by means of which it can le turned upward against the pressure of the spring 26.

One objection to impulse starter mecha nism as heretofore employed arises from the fact that they are exposed to dust and dirt which accumulates and interferes with the proper operation of the mechanism. To overcome this I have devised a simple but highly effective method of entirelv enclosing the entire mechanism. To this end I form the wall or end plate of the generator casing with an outwardly facing shoulder 1 extendin roughly in the form of an ellipse, entirely aroundtlie impulse starter mechanism. And similarly on the engine or gear casing 13 I form a corresponding outwardly facing shoulder 13. In the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to f the said shoulders are formed by flanges integral with the generator and gear casing parts, respectively. To the shoulders 1 and 13 are fitted a removable case 28 which extends entirely around the driving mechanism and, in connection with the walls of the generator and engine or gear casing serves to completely enclose said mechanism. The case 28 can be formed in various ways but I prefer to make it of a strip 28 of thin, flexible sheet metal which can readily be made to conform to the contour of the shoulders 1 and 13 To each end of the strip 28" are rigidly attached a pair of lugs 28 which areperforated to receive screw bolts 28 by means of which the'ends of the flexible strip 28 are drawn together so that the strip is secured in place. The case 28 is formed with an aperture 28 to permit the passage of the wire 27 which can be ex tended by suitable connections for actuation at anydesired point in relation to the engine or motor vehicle upon which the enginemay be used.

In the operation of the above described mechanism, on starting the engineby hand crank or power starter, the motion of the driving shaft 12 is transmitted through the coupling 11 to the cam member 6 of the impulse starter mechanism proper. The motion of the cam member 6 is transmitted through stud 8, driving spring 9 and stud 7 to the ratchet 3 and generator shaft 2, the said parts moving substantially in unison until the block 17 of the locking pawl, which is, pressed upon the periphery of the cam 6 by spring 23, engages one of the ratchet shoulders or teeth, whereby the movement of the ratchet disk 3 and of the generator shaft is stopped. Thereupon as the cam member 6 continues to rot-ate, the spring 9 is compressed and one ofthe cam faces 6 is broughtinto engagement with the pawl block '17 thereby disengaging the pawl and permittingthe ratchet and generator shaft to snap forward under the action of the driving spring 9 in well known manner, the action of the circuit breaker and distributor of the generator being timed in relation to the release of the ratchet so that the quick forward movement of the rotor is utilized for the generation of. an effective ignitionimpulse starter mechanism continues to opcrate in the manner described, giving two quick movements of the generator shaft during each rotation thereof. But when the speed of rotation exceeds the low value referred to thelocking pawl acquires a momentum, from the action of one of the cam faces (5, great enough to swing the tension device 23 below the pivot axis'of the pawl, whereupon the latter is thrown upward by the action of thespring against the bracket 14 and there held in inoperative position by the action of the spring 23. By giving the spring a suitable tension, provision can be made for. throwing the starter mechanism out of operation at any desired speed, preferably at a speed lower than the engine will have in normal operation. 7 When the engine has been stopped and it isdesired to start it again the starting mechanism can readily be thrown into action by pullin'gon the wire 27 which swings the lever 25 and causes its inturned end 25 to swing the lockingv pawl downward until the tension device swings across the pivot axis of the pawl so that the nism.

As will be apparent to those familiar with mechanism of this character, I have produced an. impulse starter mechanism having parts that are simpleand ru ed and adapti a a ed to operate in a uniform and reliable manner. device for the control of the locking pawl, the pawl mechanism is rendered sensitive in operation since the number of working joints is reduced to a minimum and these joints, because they are under tension, can be made to work with less friction than would be possible with a spring under com.- pression, Furthermore the tension device for controlling-the locking pawl not only has the advantage of a small number of parts and a minimum of friction but also is adapted to perform the double function of holding the locking pawl either in an operative position or in an inoperative position.

The advantage of my improved means for throwing the locking pawl into operation is obvious since it provides, for the performance of the function in a simple and convenient manner, and, because it is unattached to the locking pawl, cannot interfere with its proper operation.

In the construction illustrated in Figs. 5

By the use of aresilient tension I and (3 Ihavc sought to make use in a large measure oi steel. stainpings, that is to say to shape the parts by die press methods rather than machine cutting methods. In other respects the construction is similar to that above described and the operation of this second form of construction is entirely like that above described. A brief description will therefore suflice.

31 is the end plate of an ignition generator having a rotor shaft 32 tapered at one end to receive a ratchet hub 33 which is secured against relative rotation by a key 3-lt and against endwise movement by a nut 85. 36 is a ratchet disk stamped from steel and lixetlrl y secured to the hub 33. Preferably the.

hub is toothed or serrated and the disk 86 formed with a similarly shaped aperture so that when the disk is pressed on the hub it is secured against rotation in relation thereto. The periphery of the disk 36 is formed with two diametrically opposite ratchet teeth or shoulders 36, 36.

A sleeve 37 is rotatably mounted on the hub 8-3 and on this sleeve is fixedly secured a cam disk 38. As in the case of the inner end of the hub 33, the outer end. of the sleeve 37 is toothed or serrated, as indicated at 37, Fig. 6, and the cam disk 38 has its central aperture similarly formed so that when it is pressed on the sleeve 37 it is fixedly secured thereto. The disk 88 is cupped as indicated in Fig. 5 and has its inner surface; near its periphery bearing against the outer surfaces of the ratchet disk 36 thus forming between said parts an annular chamber in which is mounted a driving spring 39 and a. buffer spring 40, as in the case oi the described construction, the spring having engagement at their ends with. lugs or studs one'o't which is carried by the disk 36 and the other by 'the disk at 38. On its outer periphery the disk 38 is termed with two diametrically opposite cam extensions 38, 38 having cam faces 38", 38".

Above the ratchet and can'rdisks oi the starting mechanism a bracket 41 rigidly secured by screws to the face 01 the end. plate 31 oi the generator. This bracket carries a lockii'ig pawl iii, a pawl controlliu tension device n, and a lever 41-5 for throwing the pawl into operative engagement, all of these'parts being similar in construction, arrangement and operation to the corresponding parts of the first described mechanism.

The cam disk 38 of the starter mechanism is driven from shaft 456, which projects "from engine gear casing 4-7, through a coupling 48. This coupling comprises two stamped steel disks L8, 48 which are formed with peripheral interlockingteeth 48 48, respectively. The disk 48 has a serrated central aperture and is mounted on the end of the sleeve 37 with a pressed fit, while the coupling disk ii-8 is similarly or otherwise attached to a hub 1-8 which is secured by pin 4:9 to the shaft -6.

As in the lirst described construction l: provide a sheet metal case 50 to enclose the driving mechanism, but instead of providing sum'iortiug shoulders for the case 50 in the form of integral flanges on the generator plate 31 and the gear casing 457, I mount cup-shaped steel stampings 51 and on said end plate and casing respectively. The stamping 51 is formed with an aperture to fit the boss or extension 31 of the end plate 31, and at its outer periphery is struck up with a flange 51 to receive the case 50. T he stamping 51 is effectively secured to the end plate 31 of the generator by the screws 4-2, a2 which serve to securethe bracket 41 thereto. Similarly the stamping 52 is cen trally apertured and is formed at its pe riphery with a struck up flange 52" to ceive the case 50. The stamping 552 is cured in a suitable manner; as by screws 53, to the gear casing 47. The case 50 is secured in position by screw bolts 50* in hugs 50 secured to the ends of the sheet metal strip torming said case.

As has been stated, the operation of this second form of construction is similar to that previously described and it will, thcrefore, be understood without ilurthci' expla-- nation.

In Figs. 7, 8 and 9 I show a modified "form of the impulse starter mechanism. 61 represents the end plate ofthe ignition current generator, 62 its shaft, 63 a ratchet keyed on the end of the shaft and secured by a nut ea, 65 a cam member and G6 a driving spring. These parts are substantially the same as the corresponding parts shown in Figs. 1 to 4;, inclusive, except that the cam member is formed on its outer face with a flange 65 that entirely surrounds the nut 6 1:, said flange being termed with notches (35" designed to receive the co-operating lugs ot a driving coupling member.

In the present case the stop iiing pawl i'nechanism is mounted below the ratchet and cam devices instead oi above them. 7 is a bracket rigidly secured byscrews (S3 to the end plate (31 of the generator. This bracket carries a pivot stud 69 on which is mounted a stopping pawl 70 designed to engage the ratchet and be engaged by the cam. The pawl is formed by bending a strip of metal, preferably stamped from suitable sheet material, back upon itself, the middle of the strip thus "forming the ratchet-engaging end 70 of the pawl while the two ends of the pawl are rigidly connected by a pin 70 which is secured by riveting. A nut 71 serves to retain the pawl on the stud 69.

The pawl is yieldingly held either in operative or inoperative position by a resilient tension device 72 comprising a coiled spring 72 and a link 72". One end of the spring is joined to one end of the link and the other end of the spring is attached to the pin while the second end of the link is pivotally connected to a stud 73 on the bracket 67. The link 72 is offset in relation to the pivot stud 69 of the pawl as indicated in Fig. 7 so that the longitudinal axis of the tension device'is permitted to swing across the pivot axis of the pawl. Thus, as in the case of the previously described construe tions, the tension device serves to hold the pawl either inoperative or inoperative position. 74: is a stop to limit the movement of the pawl 70 when it is moved to its inoperative position. y i

In the operation of this form of mechanism the locking pawl, under the control of the tension device, co-operates with the ratchet and cam mechanism in substantially the same manner as has been set forth in connection with the previously described constructions so that-the'operation need not be describedin detail.

In Figs. 10 and 11 I show a modified form.

of the type of construction illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the only differencesbeing in the form' of the locking pawl its tension device and the bracket upon which said parts are mounted. 81designates the. end plate of the generator, 82 the ratchet and 83 the cam. The yoke-shaped bracket 84 is secured to the end plate 81 and between the arms 84?, 8 lof this bracketis arranged a locking pawl 85 which is pivotally supported on a pin 86. The locking pawl comprises side plates 85*, a pivot block 85*, a

ratchet-engaging end block .85 and a pin 85 said blocks and pin securing the side plates cated in Fig. 11.

The locking pawl is controlled in. part by a tension device 87 comprising 'a coiled spring 87* and a bent link 87", the spring and link in the present casebeing formed in one part, The spring end of the tension device is pivotably connected to he pin 85 r Fig. 10 the link. section 87 b of the tension'device is laterally offset to. permit the longitudinal' axis of the tension device to swing across the pivot axis of the locking pawl,

thus adapting the-tension device to hold the locking pawl either in operative or ininoperative position. In its inoperative position thepawl is pressed against a stop 89 by the tension device. y a Y s .The operation of this last descrlbed mechanism'is similar to that of the mechanism shown inFigs. 7, 8 and 9 and will be understood without further explanation.

In Figs. 12 and 13 I show still another 9 form of construction for the locking pawl and tension devices of the type of mechanism illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. 91 is the end plate of thegenerator,92 the ratchet aid 93 the cam. 94; is a brac-ket rigidly secured to the end plate 91 and provided with a pivot stud 95 on which is mounted a locking pawl 96. The locking pawl'is roughly V shaped in sideelevation, as appears from Fig. 12, and is preferably formed by bending a stamping of suitable sheet metal so that the middle part of the stamping forms the ratchet enga ing end 96 of the pawl while the free en s of the stamping are rigidly joined by a rivet pin 97.

o-operating with the locking pawl is a tension device 98 comprising-a coil spring 98 and a sheet metal link 98 pivotably connected to the spring. The free end of the spring is pivotably connected to a stud 99' on the bracket 94 while the free end of the link is similarly connected to the pin 97 of the locking pawl. The link 98 is formed with a large aperture 98". permitting it to swing through a considerable range in relation tothepivot stud 95. One arm of the not as defining the scope of my invention. rigidly togetheuin spaced relation as indi- VVhat I claim is:

1. In a driving. mechanism for ignition generators, the combination with the generator shaft of meansfor driving said shaft comprising a ratchet fast on the generator shaft, a cam mounted totnrn in relation to said generator shaft, aspiring interposed between the cam and ratchct to transmit power to drive the generator shaft, a pivoted locking pawl arranged to engage and stop the ratchet and be disengaged therefrom by the can], and a resilient tension device connected at onerend to a fixed abutmentjatone sideof the pivot axis of the pawl and at its other end to the pawl at the opposite side of said} axis, the pawl and'tension device being constructed andv arranged to permit the latter .to swing across the pivot axis when the pawl is moved from its operative to its in operative position in relation to the ratchet..

2. In a driving mechanism for ignition generators, the combination with the generator shaftcof means for driving sa'id 'shaft comprising a ratchet fast on the generator shaft, a cam mounted to turn in relation to said'generator shaft, a spring interposed between the cam and ratchet to transmit power to drive the generator shaft, a pivoted looking pawl arranged to engage and stop the ratchet and be disengaged therefrom by the cam, and a tension device having a coil spring section and a link section connected thereto, one end of the tension device being connected to a fixed abutment at one side of the pivot axis of the pawl and the other end being connected to the pawl at the other side of said axis and one of the pawl and tension device parts being laterally offset relatively to the pivot axis to permit the tension device to swing across the said axis when the pawl is moved from its operative to its inoperative position in relation to the ratchet.

3. In a driving mechanism for ignition generators, the combination with the generator shaft of means for driving said shaft comprising a ratchet fast on the generator shaft, a cam mounted to turn in relation to said generator shaft, a spring interposed between the cam and ratchet to transmit power to drive the generator shaft, a pivoted locking pawlarranged to engage and stop the ratchet and be disengaged therefrom by the cam, and a resilient tension device connected at one end to a fixed abutment at one side of the pivot axis of the pawl and at its other end to the pawl at the opposite side of said axis, and said pawl being formed with an open space extending longitudinally. of the pawl across its said pivot axis, whereby the tension device is permitted to swing across the said axis when the pawl is moved from its operative to its inoperative position in relation to the ratchet.

LIn a driving mechanism for ignition generators, the combination with the gen erat-or shaft of means for driving said shaft comprising a ratchet fast on the generator shaft, a cam mounted to turn in relation to said genera-tor shaft, a spring interposed between the cam and ratchet to transmit power to drive the generator shaft, a pivoted locking pawl arrangedto engage and stop the ratchet and be disengaged therefrom by the cam, and a tension device comprising a coil spring section and a link section connected thereto, one end. of the tension device being connected to a fixed abutment at one side of the pivot axis of the pawl and the other end being connected to the pawl at the other side of said axis and one of the pawl and tension de-viceparts being laterallvflotfset relatively to the said axis to permit the tension device to swing across the axis when thepawl is movedfrom its operative to its inoperative position in relation to the ratchet.

5. In a driving mechanism for ignition generators, the combination with the generator shaft, ofmeans for driving said shaft comprising a ratchet fast onthegenerator shaft, a cam mounted to turn in relation to said generator shaft, a spring interposed between the cam and ratchet to transmit power to drive the generator shaft, a looking pawl to engage and stop the ratchet and be disengaged. therefrom by the cam, means adapted to hold the pawl in inoperative position, and manual movably mounted means adapted when manually actuated to engage the pawl in its inoperative position and move it to an operative position, the pawl being movable in operation from one operative position to another independently of the said manual means.

6. In a driving mechanism for ignition gei'ierators, the combination with the generator shaft of means for driving said shaft comprising aratehet fast on the generator shaft,- a cam mounted to turn in relation to said generator shaft, a spring interposed between the cam and ratchet to transmit power to drive the'genera tor shaft. a locking pawl to engage and stop the ratchet and be disengaged therefrom by the cam, means adapted to hold the pawl in inoperative position, and a manual lever adapted when manually actuated to engage the pawl in its inoperative position and move it to an operative positiointhe pawl being movable in operation from one operative position to anotherindependently of the said manual lever.

7. In a driving mechanism for ignition generators, the combination with the genorator shaft of means for drivingsaid shaft comprising a ratchet fast on the generator shaft, a cam mounted to turn in relation to said generator shaft. :1 spring interposed be tween the cam and ratchet to transmit power to drive the generator shaft, a pivoted locking pawl arranged to engage and stop the ratchet and be disengaged therefrom by the can], means a dapted to hold the pawl in inoperative position, and a manual lever mounted to turn about the axis of the pawl pivot and. adapti-id when manually actuated to engage the pawl in its inoperative position and move it to an operative position, the pawl being movable in operation from one operative position to another independently of the said manual levc S. In a driving mechanism for ignition generators, the combination with thc gonerator shaft of means fordriving said sh: 't comprising a ratchet fast on the generator shaft, a cam mounted to turn in relation to said generator shaft. a spring interposed between the cam and ratchet to transmit powerto .drive the generator shaft, a locking pawlto engage and stop the ratchet and be disengaged therefrom by the cam, means adapted to yieldingly hold the pawlin in operative position, and manual movably mounted means adapted when manually ac tuated to, engage the pawl in itsinoperative position and move it to an operative position, the pawl being movable in operation from one operative position to another in dependently of the said manual means.

9. In a driving mechanism for ignition generators, the combination of a generator having a casing and a rotor shaft projecting through a wall of said casing, a gear casing adjacent to which the generator is mounted, a driving shaft projecting from said gear casing, an impulse starter mechanism forming a driving connection between the generator shaft and said driving shaft, and a removable case extending between the adjacent Walls of the generator'and gear casings to completely enclose the starter mechanism.

10. In a driving mechanism for ignition generators, the combination of a generator having a casing and a rotor shaft projecting through a wall of said casing, a gear casing adjacent to which the generator is mounted, a driving shaft projecting from said gear casing, an impulse starter mechanism forming a driving connection between the generator shaft and said driving shaft, the opposite walls of the generator and gear casings having outwardly facing shoulders surrounding the generator and driving shafts respectively, and an enclosing case for the starter mechanism comprising a flexible metal band extending around said mechanism with its edge parts engaging said shoulders and means on the two ends of said band to detachably secure them together. i

In testimony whereof, hereunto aflix my signature.

JOHN LEWIS MILTON. 

